Remotely controlled crane or the like



| B. NICKLES ETAL REMOTELY CONTROLLED CRANE OR THE LIKE Aug. 26, 1941.

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E. B. NICKLES ETAL REMOTELY CONTROLLED CRANE OR THE LIKE Filed March 16, 1938 11' Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTORS [aw/Pp .5 Mas 1:5

E. B. NICKL ES ET AL REMOTELY CONTROLLED CRANE} OR THE LIKE Aug. 26, 1941;.

I ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 16, 1938 7V III //lI/Illf from.

E. B. NICKLES ETIAL REMOTELY CONTROLLED cams on THE LIKE I Fnea'mich 16, 1958 1 snee ps sneet-s Aug. 26, 194;; $354,083

-Aug. 26, 1941'. E. B. NIKLES EI'AL v 2,254,683 I I REMOTELY CONTRQLLED cams: OR THE LIKE waned March 1a, 1938 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS E. B. NICKLES ETAL REMOTELY CONTROLLED CRANE OR THE LIKE Aug. 26, 1941.

ll Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTORS Filed March-l6, 1938 day/v 0 lh sr @i A? M ORNEY.

g 1941- E. B. NICKLES T I 2,254,083

REMOTELY CONTROLLED CRANE OR THE LIKE Fi led March 16, 1938 ll Sheets-Sheet e I \/I v J05 J05 J02 (J07 105 INVENTORS [0/44440 5. 40611115 da /v 0 Mar ATTORNEY.

a B. NICKLES EIAL- 2,254,083

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4 REMOTELY CONTROLLED CRANE on THE LIKE Filed larch 1.6, 1938 l1 Sheets-She et 9 Aug; 26, 1941. EQBQ NICKLES .sr m." 2,254,033

' RBIOTELY CONTROLLED CRANE GK THE LIKE Filed llarcl; 16, 19:58 I 11 SheetsfSheet 1o A ORNEY.

Aug. 26, 1941.

' E. NICKLES ETAL REMOTELY CONTROLLED CRANE OR THE LIKE 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed March 16, 1938 a cab.

Patented Aug. 26, 1941 'REMOTELY- CONTROLLED CRANE on This Edward B. Nickles and John D. West, Manitowoc,

Wis.,

assignors to Manitowoc Company, Manitowoc, Wis.

Shipbuilding .Application March 1c, 1938, Serial No. 196,246

18 Claims.-

This invention relates to a remote control for Y a crane, shovel, drag line, or similar machine.

it frequently happens in using cranes or similar machines that the point at which the operation is taking place is not in full view of the operator when he is located in the cab. In certain operations it is impossible for the operator I to watch the hook or clamshell bucket, for instance when loading or unloadingboats. Under these conditions the operator" cannot see the bucket or hook or load handling means when it passes into the hatch of the boat and it is therefore'necessary to have a signal man at the hatch in view of an operator located in-the This invention is designed to provide a remote control for a crane or the like which is so constructed that only one operator is needed and this operator may be located atthe remote point So that the hook or other member is always visible to him, and in which the arrangement is such that this remotely located operator can control all of the operations of the crane from his remote position while at all times having 'the hook or load handling means in full view.

Ordinarily the operator of a crane is located within the cab and ,uses both his hands and both his feet in the control of the crane. This invention has for its further object the provision of remote control means for a cran in which all of the operations ordinarily performed by the operator in the cab may be performed by the remote operator by using only his .two hands.

Further objects are to provide a remote control for a crane which is provided with interlocking control units to prevent interfering operations of different parts of the crane, and which is provided with safety control means which may be brought into use in the event of adverse or unexpected conditions during ,the operation of the crane.

. power at the crane, for example compressed air;

to thereby provide a relay action between the remote control means andthe local, control means located in the cab, the local control means furnishing the actual power for moving the different control elements of the crane, and in which control units within the cab may be had from the remote point to prevent a too sudden app1ication of power or release of brakes for instance, and to provide safety means controlled i'rom the remote point which may open an engine clutch for instance and which may relieve all ofthe air pressure from the air-operated local control. means. in the event any of the valves stick or any unexpected condition suddenly develops so as to provide a safe, reliable remote control means that gives absolute control of the crane.

Further objects of this invention are to pro-7' vide a remote control means which may be located ata remote point, which is freely portable and may be shifted from time to time in an easy manner, which may be moved from the remote point to a position within the cab itself, and

which when so positioned may control in the same manner as when at the remote point or which may be supplemented by the operator using the foot brakes for example, without interference from the remote control means, and additionally to provide for the plugging in or con- 'necting of the remote control means either to the car body or to the cab as desired.

Further objects are to provide remote control means which may have a series of handles for the control of diifer'ent groups of the mechanisms of the crane and in which a single handle or control member may simultaneously control both the clutch and the brake of a particular drum for instance, so that the operator may swing the handle to either hoisting or lowering position without independent operation of the brake or clutch for that particular drum, and in which a gradual release of the brake is obtained and the clutch is allowed to take hold and control the load so that sudden shock'or sudden shifting of theload is prevented.

Further objects are to provide remote means having a series of handles for the control of different groups of the mechanisms of the crane, for example at least two handles for a two-drumcrane, in which one or both of the handles may be provided with auxiliary switches which may be operated to relieve the brake on one of the drums while the clutch of the other drum is closed so as to wind the cable not in active operation in accordance with or in step with the active cable, particularly when used for two-cable ciamshell bucket operation. the 'operator being required to operate only one handle at a time for this double function. g

Embodiments of the invention are shown-in a graduated or graded control of certain 01' the the accompanying drawings,'in which:

control Figure 1 is a view showing the crane and the remote control.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the remote control member.

Figure 3 is a wiring diagram of the remote control means and the valves controlled thereby. Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the pneumatic system.

. Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of a modifled' form of a portion of the pneumatic system.

Figure is a transverse view, partly in sec- 1 tion, showing the drive for the crawlers.

Figure 11 is a plan view looking down intothe cab of the crane with parts broken away.

Figure 12 is a plan view, with parts broken away, showing the shift gear for the travel and swing operations and the swing lock.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary end view of the air operated means for shifting the shift gear, such view also showing the swing locking gears.

Figure 14 is an end view of one of the drum clutches and the associated parts.

drum brake. The left-hand controller controls the two reversing clutches on the main drive shaft, such clutches transmitting power either to the boom hoist, the crawlers, or the swing mechanism.

The remote control means also includes a series of nine small switches which control respectively the electrical power of the entire remote control system, the engine clutch, the means for locking against rear travel, the means for looking against front travel, the boom hoist shift gear, the swing shift gear, the travel shift gear, the left steering clutch, and the right steering clutch.

These small switches are arranged in electrical interlocking relation in the following groups: The right steering switch and the left steering switch constitute a two-unit interlocking system.

The lock against rear travel and the lock against forward travel and the reversing clutches controller form a three-unit interlocking system. The boom hoist shift gear switch, the swing shift gear switch and the travel shift gear switch form a three-unit interlock. These interlocks are so arranged that conflicting operations cannot occur, as will be apparent as the detailed description proceeds.

The crane or similar machine may be of any desired type. A simple load handling crane has been chosen for illustrating the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that the crane comprises a cab or rotating body I, a crawler base 2 provided with crawlers 3, a boom 4, a boom hoist cable 5, a boom hoist drum 8,

- a load hoisting cable I, a drum 8. As will be seen Figure 15 is a view showing the forward and hoist.

Figure 18 is a view showing the pneumatic means for operating the boom hoist shift gear and brake.

Figure 19 is a view of one' of the .foot pedals and also the air operating means for operating one of the drum brakes.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a view of the air operated means and a portion of the clutch mechanism for the reversing clutches.

Before describing the details of the remote control crane, a brief summary of the operations will be given.

In remot -control operation, all of the brakes are spring set and are air'released. It sometimes happens that it is desirable to place the remote control unit in the cab, and under these conditions certain of the springs may be normally released and the brakes may be applied by foot P dals.

There are four pressure regulating valves and these regulating valves regulate the presfiire appliedto the air operating means for the brake Figure 17 is a detail of the brake for the boom release of the two drums and for operating the right-hand drum clutch and the right-bani" as the description proceeds, the crane is in reality provided with two drums corresponding to the drum 8 either or both of which can be used, as for clamshell bucket operation and other operations. However, to simplify the description, only one of the drums, namely, the left-hand drum, is employed in the operation of the crane. The load handling means may take any form desired, a hook 9 having been illustrated.

The remote control means is indicated at III, see Figures 1 and 2, and may comprise the box like member ID as indicated, which may be supported upon a pedestal l l or in any other manner when located at the remote point,'for example as on the deck of a boat l2, the crane standing on the pier I3. Ordinarily in loading and unloading a boat, the crawlers 3 will be turned at right angles to the position shown in Figure l, but they have been illustrated as in Figure l in order to simplify the disclosure. Usually the crane will be positioned for unloading through one hatch and thereafter will crawl or travel to another position parallel to the boat for unloading. successive hatches.

The remote control means is provided with a cable I 4 which is adaptedto plug into either the crawler base, as shown, or into the cab or rotating body, suitable outlets being provided as indicated in Figure 1. Further, the cable I 4 may be plugged into or detached from the remote control means ID as desired, so that a shorter or longer cable may be substituted.

This remote control means In is adapted to be used at a remote point, or if desired may be placed within the cab and detached from the pedestal H and carried upon any suitable support, such as indicated at i5, within the cab so that the operator may control the crane from within the ,and I8 respectively. It is also provided with a controller handle 20.

These controller handles it"; 11' and 20' are connected with the switch arms l6, ,l1 and 20 respectively, as shown in Figure 3 in the wiring diagram. The small switches l9 and I8 carriedby the controller handles I6 and H are illustrated diagrammatically in Fig'- ure'3.

The remote control means I is provided with a series of small switches 2| to 29, as shown in Figure 2. For the sake of simplicity the same numbers are, applied to the diagrammaticlshowing of the switches 2| to 29 in Figure 3. In each of Figures 2 and 3 the upper position in the figures is the closed position for these series of switches. The power for operating the electrical equipment may be supplied from a battery 30, see Figure 1, and a charging dynamo 3|. These are carried within the cab and have one side grounded, as indicated. The live power line is indicated at 32 and supplies the entire remote control system. Two series of socket contacts are provided in the crane. One series indicated generally at 33 is carried within'the cab or rotating body, and the other series indicated generallyat 34 is carried in the crawler base. Further the series of plugs or plug-in portions from the" cable leading from the remote controller-are indicated generally at 35 in Figure 3.

a cylinda' p. piston, or a diaphragm type of device for oprating the respective parts as listed for the electromagnetic valves hereinabove.

These air controlled pressure responsive members are lettered with'the primes of their control valves in Figure 4. As an'illustration, the left drum brake cylinder E is controlled by the valve E and the right drum brake-cylinder F' is controlled by the valve F. p i

If desired, a hand controlled three-way valve 40 may be provided for by-passing the valves E and F, If it becomes desirable to hold either or.

both of the brakes off permanently and to take them out of the control of their respective valves.

The valves E and F, which control the left drum brake release and the right drum brake release,

and the valves I and J, which control the left reversing clutch and the right reversing clutch,

' are pressure regulating valves which adjust the pressure in a graduated manner in approximate proportion to the amount of current supplied such electromagnetic valves.

These four valves have been indicated by large circles in Figures 3 and 4, All the other valves are on. and oil, three-way valves and are indicated by small circles in'l igures 3 and 4. These on and off valves turn on the full pressure or else cut oil? the pressure and discharge the air from their respective air pressure responsive members.

This arrangement gives a gradual control of the right and left drum brakes and of the right and left reversing clutches, whereas the other members controlled-by the valves are either completely The elements of the upper socket member 33 I in the cab are connected electrically to the elements of the lower socket member 34v carried .by the crawler base through the medium of conductors passing through the center post and a series-of slip rings 35 and brushes 31, see Figures 3 and 10.

The entire remote control is 'efl'ected .-1rough a series of electromagnetic air controlling valves which have been indicated in Figures 3 and 4 by letters. The valves are listed as follows:

on or completely oil.

As shown in Figure 4, the air cut-off and reliet valve K, which is also remotely controlled as are all the other valves, is provided to cut off the entire air supply from the pneumatic system and to'discharge the air from such system, thus relieving all air pressure in the pneumatic system leading to the several valves so that if any one of the valves should stick or become inoperative, a safety relief cut-off is provided to.arrest any further action of the crane. I

In the system shown in Figure 4, each of the air operated members is individually controlled by its corresponding valve.

If .it is desired to have a Joint control, for

example when it is desired to control a clutch v and a brake so that the operation of each of the members may be gradual and controlled by one of the pressure regulating valves, the connections 1 may be made as shown in Figure 5. In this case 7 the left drum brake and the left drum clutch operating member corresponding to the members E ,and G of Figure 4, are indicated at ll and .42 in Figure 5 and the on and off valve for controlling the clutch, corresponding to the valve MThe control valve for locking against front I travel.

N-Left steering clutch control valve. P-Right steering clutch control valve.

' Pneumatic system The pneumatic system is diagrammatically shown in Figure 4 and comprises a compressed air supply tank 33 supplied by a compressor .39 driven from the engine in any conventional way. The tank supplies the several valves hereinbefore described through an air cut-off and relief valve K. Each of the valves, with the exception of the valve K,'controls an air operated member, either G, is indicated at A3. The pressure'regulating.

valve, corresponding to the valve E of Figure 4, is indicated at 44 in Figure 5. A hand operated.

three-way valve 45 is provided so that the brake operating cylinder may be by-passed around the valve 14 if it is desired to hold the brake off.

permanently.

. The operation of the modified portion of thesystem shown in Figure 5 diflers from the cor-1 responding parts shown in Figure 4 in that the clutchoperatlng member ,4! is under the joint control of the on and off valve 43 and'the pres sure regulating or pressure graduatingvalve 44, so that when the clutch valve 44 is opened, the clutch operating member 42 and the brake operating'member I are underthe joint control of the pressure regulating valve and each comes on gradually, the brake releasing in a gradual manner as the clutch takes hold. On the other hand, if the on and off valve 43 is closed and the valve 44. is operated, the brake may be released without operating the clutch when the valve 44 is opened.

Electra-pneumatic valves The pressure regulating valves E, F, I and J are all alike. The left drum brake release pressure regulating valve E is shown in Figures 6 and 7, and in Figure 7 is shown as controlling the left drum brake release cylinder L". This cylinder is provided with a piston acting against a spring 46 and releasing the brake 41, the brake being set by the spring 45. The air supply line to the pressure regulating valve E is indicated at 48, the line to the cylinder E at 49, and the exhaust for the valve at 50. This view is merely a diagrammatic view of the brake and the air cylinder.

This pressure regulating valve is described in greater detail in the copending application of John D. West, Serial No. 160,108 filed August 20, 1937, for Electromagnetic control devices, now Patent No. 2,159,610 of May 23, 1939. It comnot have the exact mechanical arrangement of the parts as shown in the remaining detailed .mechanical views, but they are arranged in Figwith the transverse drum shaft 89 on which the right and left drums 8' and 8 respectively, see Figures 9 and 11, are loosely mounted. The main drive shaft 68 is connected by bevelled gearing prises a solenoid 5| which acts to raise a plunger 52, such plunger being connected by means of The valve is shown in the position just as it commences to exhaust from the cylinder E. Assume that current of a certain value, depending on the resistances put in the circuit by the controller, is passing through the winding 5|, the plunger 52 is pulled upwardly and admits air through the port 51 until the pressure in the chamber 69, which is'the same as the pressure.

in the cylinder E, builds up so that the action on the-differential valve urging it downwardly just balances the pull of the solenoid. At this time the valve 54 will float in itscentral position, cutting off both the inlet and the exhaust and maintaining this pressure.

If the current is increased or decreased, the

valve again shifts to adjust the pressure in the chamber 60, and consequently in the cylinder E,

in exact proportion to the pull exerted on the plunger 52, and in this way proportions the air pressure to the amount of current flowing in the v coil 5|, thus providing a graduated or regulated control of the air pressure for the remote controller.

It is not necessary to have this type of valve in all positions as all the other valves need only be on and off valve of the conventional type, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 8 for one of such valves, for example the on and off 'valve G for the left drum clutch. Such on and off valve may comprise a solenoid 5| acting on the plunger 82 to open the inlet valve 63 and allow the closing of the exhaust valve 64', such valves being seated by springs. When the current is cut off, the inlet valve closes and the exhaust valve opens.

Mechanical details of the crane The schematic or pictorial view Figure 9 does with a vertical, downwardly extending shaft 10 which is provided with a gear ll normally out of mesh with a sliding pinion l2 carried on the vertical worm shaft I3 for driving the boom drum shaft 14. The shaft T3 is provided'with a brake drum 15 which cooperates with the brake band 16 for the boom hoist drum 8. The pinion 12 is moved into and out of mesh with the gear H by means of the rock shaft ll, such pinion being slidably splined on the shaft 13.

The shaft 10 extends downwardly and is provided with a slidably splined shift pinion 18 whichv is adapted to engage either the gear 19 for traveling or the gear for swinging. Normally the pinion 18 remains in neutral position, as will hereinafter be described. Its position is controlled by means of the rock shaft 8|.

The rock shaft 8| is coupled in a suitable manner hereinafter described with the swing lock 82 which engages the teeth of the'swing gear 89 and locks the crane against swinging motion when so engaged. It is free of the gear 80 when the pinion 18 is in mesh with such gear and the lock engages the gear 80 when the pinion 18 is in mesh with the gear 19 and also when in neutral. The gear 80 drives a relatively smaller pinion 83 which meshes with the fixed gear 84 carried rigidly by the crawler body. The gear 19 is mounted axially with the center of rotation of the rotating body and is rigid on a shaft 85. The shaft 85 is connected by beveled gearing with the transverse shaft 85 in the crawler base 2, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The shaft 85, see Figure 10, extends through the king pin 81 about which the rotating body or cab rotates, such rotating body being supported from the crawler base in the usual manner not shown. The right and left crawler drive sprocket, not shown, is connected respectively to right and left short shafts 88 and 89 aligned with the shaft 86, see Figure 10.

As shown in Figure 10, right and left clutch members 99 and 9| are slidably splined on the shafts 88 and 89 and ar spring urged inwardly into engagement with corresponding clutch members 92 and 93.

- The clutch members 98 and 9| are provided with notched outer portions 94 and 95 and as these clutch members are slidably splined on the shafts 88 and 89 respectively, they may be moved out of engagement with the clutch members 92 and 93 on the driving shaft 86 and thus disconnect one or the other of the crawlers from the drive.

-When either clutch member or 9| is moved outwardly, such clutch member is adapted to be locked to the crawler body. For example, the clutch member 98 when moved to the right, causes the notched portion 94 to engage the pin 96 carried by the crawler base 2, a similar pin 9'! being provided for the notched member95. 0nly one of these pins is engaged at a time, as for tion being directed to Figures 11, 14, 19, 20

and 21.

against forward. travel and the lock against rear travel. As stated, "the electrical conductors extend through'the king pin and compressed air 'isalso led through the king pin by swivel joint connections in the usual manner.

The pawls 09 and I00 are normally held out of engagement with the notched wheel 08 by means of springs, as shown, and are allowed to 7 drop into engagement with the wheels whenever the air actuated'member M or L respectively is supplied with compressed air, such members being controlled by the on and off valves M and L, see Figure 4..

Figures 12 and 13' show the manner in which the shift pinion I8 is moved from its normal neutral position either upwardly into" engag'ement with the gear I9 adapted for connection with the travel gear mechanism or downwardly into engagement with the gear 80 for swinging operation.

The rock .shaft 8! raises or lowers the'pinion l8 and is rocked into travel position by th air cylinder 0' and into swinging position by the, air cylinder D. The shaft 8| is provided with a short socketed lever IOI which is connected with the sliding member I02. The member I02, as shown most clearly in Figure 12, slidably receives the piston rods from thecylinders C'and D'- and washers I03 and I04 are. engaged by springs I 05 and I00, the outer ends of the-springs bearing against a lock nut carried by the pistons of the respective cylinders C and D.

When the cylinder 0 is furnished'with compressed air, the washer I03 is forced over into engagement with the guiding bracket Q01 and at this time further compression, of the spring has no effect on driving the member I02 to the left, as viewed in Figures 12 and 13. The pinion I8 is then in mesh with the gear I9.

Similarly, when compressed air is furnished the cylinder D the spring I06 is compressed and the washer I04 engages the bracket I08, at whiaih time the pinion 10 is in mesh with the gear hoist and tightens the- 12 ismoved out of driving position. Therefore it is apparent that the member B controls both the boom hoist and boom hoist brake.

The left and right drum 0 and- 0' and the associated parts will now be described, atten- The drums 0 and I are customarily designated left and right drums because of their mechanical position on the machine, as shown in the plan view of'Flgure 11. They are similar in their control and one alone need be described in detail, for example the left drum 8, it being understood that in clamshell bucket operation, for instance,- one of the drums would I control the closing line and the other the holding line. This illustration, it is believed, is suflicient as the use of the two drums is well known inv crane operation.

The left drum 8 has a portion that overhangs the rotating spider I, see Figure 14, carried by the continuously rotating drum shaft 09 and spring pressed drag shoes II! are carried by the spider and have frictional engagement with the interior of the overhanging portion of the drum 8, as shown in Figure'I4. Further it will be seen from Figures 11' and 14 that a drum clutch is provided for each of the drums 8 and 8' and their clutch bands are respectively indicated by the reference characters 0 and I". These. clutches are controlled by means of the air cylinders G for the-left drum' clutch and H for the right drum clutch, see Figures 14 and 4. The clutches in both cases are spring urged open and are closed by air. pressure.

The left drum brake rock shaft for applying the brake is indicated by the reference char When the cylinder C' is operated, the'swing lock 82 through the link connection I09 is in locking engagement with the gear 80 and thus locks the crane against-swinging motion.

Figures 16, 1'7 and 18 show the boom hoist drum assembly. 4

The air cylinder or diaphragm operated mexnber B, see-Figures 16, 18 and 4, rocks the shaft II to lift the boom hoist shift pinion I2 up wardly into engagement with the pinion II, see

Figure 9, spring means H0, see Figure 15, be-

'. the clutch portion III3, see Figure 17, to loosen the brake band I6 when the pinion I2 is lifted upwardly into driving position for the boom acter H0 .and the brake band may be operated therefrom in any suitable manner, not shown. applying the right drum brake is indicated by the reference character 9, see Figures'll and rock shaft 0 and is provided with ashouldered portion I23 which engages a shouldered portion I24 carried by the hub. I25 rigid on the shaft H8, see Figure 20, so-that when the pedal is depressed, the-shaft is rocked to apply the brake. On the other hand; the shaft can be rocked without depressing the pedal when the pedal is in its up position. A spring I26 is connected by means of the link I21 with an extension of the arm I22 so as to hold the arm up when the shaft H8 is rocked independently of the foot pedal in a manner hereinafter described.

Under remote control operation, the brakes are held set by spring means. For example, a spring I28 may urge the piston rod of the air cylinder E' to the left as viewed in Figure 19, thus applying the brake through the piston rod operated member I20 and the slotted connection.

I30 with a lever I 3! rigid on the shaft 0. A muchlighter spring I32 is connected to an arm on the hub I25 through the medium of the curved link I32 and tends to hold the brake open. When the device is remote conbrake when the pinion The right drum brake rock shaft for I trolled, the spring I28 is in full action and o'verpo-wers the spring I32, .thus holding the brake'set by spring pressure, the brake being released when the air is supplied the cylinder E.

When it is desired to operate the brake by means of the foot pedal I20, air is admitted to the cylinder E, thus releasing the brake, and thereafter the brake is applied by means of the foot pedal in the ordinary way, the slot I30 allowing independent action of the foot pedal under these conditions.

The right drum brake is indicated by the reference character I33 in Figure 11 and is controlled in exactly the same manner as-the left drum brake, such right drum brake being controlled either by the foot pedal IZI, see Figure 11, or by the air cylinder F, see Figure 4.

The beveled gear drive from the main horizontal drive shaft 68, see Figures 9 and 11, to the vertical shaft iii of Figure 9 will now be described. This drive is through a beveled gear I34, see Figure 9, which is rigid with the vertical shaft I and which is always in mesh with the two beveled gears I35. The beveled gears I35, see Figure 11, are loose on the shaft 88 and are connected thereto by means of the left and right reversing clutches indicated generally at I36 and I37. These clutches are caused to close when the respective air cylinder I or J is supplied with compressed air.

Any suitable type of clutch can be employed. For example as shown in the small detail Figure 21 for the right reversing clutch, the control lever 38 for opening or closing the clutch is held in open position by the spring I39, such spring being overpowered when air is supplied the cylinder J, thus setting the clutch. Suitable limiting and adjusting means is provided in the customary manner, as shown in Figure 21, for instance, the adjusting lever being indicated at I40 and a limit link at I 4|. These reversing clutches are controlled through the pressure regulating valves I and J respectively, as indicated in Figure 4, so that the clutches may be gradually applied. The engine clutch control lever is indicated by the reference character I42, see Figure 11. The. clutch 'normally held in open position by the spring I83 and is closed by theair pressure operated diaphragm member A, see Figures 11 and 4, such member being controlled by the on and off valve A, as shown in Figure 4.

Brief summary of mechanical operations From the description it is clear that the shift pinion I8 may be driven in either direction through the medium of the right and left revers-' ing clutches I36 and I31 controlled by the pressure regulating valves I and J, and that the pinion I8 may be moved into mesh with either the traveling mechanism or the swinging mechanism by means of the on and off valves 0 and D. When in engagement with the travel gear, the swing lock is applied. Also the boom hoist may be connected with the main drive shaft 68 through the medium of the shift pinion I2 which is controlled by the on and off valve B. the pinion 12 being driven in either direction by the selective operation of the reversing clutches I36 and I31 which in turn, as stated, are controlled by the pressure regulating valves I and J.

The left and right drum brake may be released in a gradual manner by the pressure regulating valves E and F and the left and right drum clutches may be closed under the control of the on and oil valves G and H.

The engine clutch is closed when air is supplied the member A under the control of the on and off valve A.

The rear travel lock for locking against rear travel is applied by the member L when supplied by air and is under the control of the On and off valve L. The forward travel lock 99, Figure 15, is applied when air is supplied the member M under the control of the on and off valve M.

The left steering clutch BI is moved to open position with respect to the drive shaft 86, see Figure 10, and into interlocking engagement with the pin 91 so as to cause the machine to steer to the left when air is supplied the member N, which is under the control of the on and off valve N. Similarly the right steering clutch is moved to the right out of operative engagement with the shaft 86 and intointerlocking engagement with the pin 96 when air is supplied the member P' under the control of the on and oif valve P.

Electrical system for the remote control The electrical system for the remote control comprises the series of switches 2| to 29 and the three controllers, two of the controllers having auxiliary switches in their handles.

In the diagrammatic showing of Figure 3, all of the switches 2| to 29 are in open position when down and in closed position when up.

All of the electrical power for the remote control is turned on or off by the switch 2I, it being understood that the battery switch to the line 32 is normally closed and that any means whatsoever, whether a manual switch as shown or whether an automatic switch, may be employed between the dynamo 3| and the battery for maintaining the battery charged in the customary manner. v

When the power switch 2| is closed, current is furnished the air cut-off and relief valve K, thus closing the valve and allowing air pressure to be supplied the pneumatic system from the supply tank. At anytime that the switch 2I is open, the, electrical power for the remote control is cut off and also the air supply to the pneumatic system is cut off and the air pressure is immediately relieved. In the event any of the valves stick or any other failure to function occurs, the operator at the remote control can instantly cut off the supply of air-and discharge all air in the system, thus allowing the clutches to open and the brakes to close and insuring safety.

The engine clutch is closed when the switch 22 is closed, as this switch controls the valve A which in turn controls the opening or closing of the engine clutch.

The invention has been shown as applied to a simple load handling crane having a single hoisting cable which is operated by the left drum. The left drum controller arm I 6 gets its power directly from the power line in the remote control means and when moved in a clockwise direction, current is passed through the resistance element I44 to the left drum brake release valve E, but this current is relatively small and the brake still has a holding effect. The controller arm I 8 simultaneously engages the contact segment I45 and passes current to the left drum clutch control valve G, fully opening such valve and allowing the left drum clutch to close. The

in a graduated manner due to the action of the pressure regulating left drum brake release valve E, and thus allows the gradual release of the brake as the clutch takes hold, for the friction clutch obviously requires a short interval of time to take hold of. the load. Thus there is no slipping down of the load but a smooth action is obtained.

Assume that the load is in elevated position. When the left drum controller arm I is moved in a counterclockwise direction, it passes current through the resistance I46 to the left drum brake release valve E but does not energize the clutch; This left drum brake is gradually released, depending upon how much of the resistance I46 is cut out, so that the descentof the load is at all times under the control of the operator and the intensity with which the braking action is exerted is directly under the remote operators coning line'of a clamshell bucket and it is desired to open the bucket and discharge the load, the operator does not have to operate both drum controllers but may merely move the left drum controller in a counterclockwise direction to lower the load and may leave the switch I9 open, thus causing the brake of the right drumv to remain set and to thus cause the holding line to support the bucket while the closing line is slackened. On the other hand, if the operatormerely wished to lower the load without discharging from the clamshell bucket, he would close the switch I9, thus releasing the brake on the right drum controller, and'move the left drum controller in a trol so that a smooth, accurately controlled low- I48 are connected together and to the right drum brake release valve F, which is also a pressure regulating valve similar to the valve E. The

It is to I be noted that the resistance elements I i!- and ering of the load is obtained. It is to be-noted that the resistances I46 and I44 are connected together. I

segment I49 is connected to the right drum clutch valve H so that when the controller arm I1 is moved in a counterclockwise direction, the clutch is closed and the brake is gradually released, which corresponds to the hoisting operation governed by this controller. When the controller arm I I is moved in a clockwise direction, it releases the brake but-does not close the clutch, as previously described-for the left drum controller. bles. can be controlled by ,the operation of the two controllers, namely, the left drum controller and the right drum-controller, it, has been found to facilitate matters if the right drum brake, forinstance, is released at the time that the left drum controller is moved to cause the operation of the left drum for the reason that during hoisting operation controlled by the left drum controller, it is desirable to wind the cable on the right drum and consequently itvis desirable to release the right drum brake and allow the drag mechanism hereinabove described to wind the' cable on the right drum while the actual power is transmitted to the cable of the left drum.

This is readily accomplished by closing the small switch I9, shown diagrammatically in Fig- While the operation of the two ca-' are 3, which is located, as previously described, 1

on the handle of the left drum controller so that the operator can with one hand not only control the operation of the left drum controller for either raising or lowering, but also may release the brake on the right drum by merely closing the switch I8. I I

Similarly the operator when operating the right drum controller can close the switch It and release the. brake on the left drum, allowing the drag mechanism to'operate. This increases the speed and-the facility of operation. For example, if the left drum operates the clos- .a graduated manner.

counterclockwise direction so that the two cables unwind at the same rate. This is only one of the many ways in which the device can function.

If it is desired to cause the crane to travel,

the travel gear switch 2] is closed. If the'boom hoist gear switch 25 is closed, no power will be allowed to pass to the switch 21, but, on the other consequently to the crawlers through either the left reversing clutch or the right reversing clutch which are under the control of the pressure regulating valves I and J.

The controller at the left-hand end of the remote control unit may be operated to cause one or the other of the reversing clutches to close in However, current is not furnished the controller arm directly but is furnished through either the right contact seg- I50 and current is also passed through the resistance I52 to the right revelsing clutch pressure regulating valve J so that the right revers-. ing clutch is gradually applied, depending on the position of the arm 20, and thus the crane is caused to travel forwardly.

- If through any chance, the front travel lock switch were in closed position, it is apparent that the crane could not travel forward as the segment I would then be dead as the switch 24 would be in its upper or closed position and power to the segment I50 would be cut oif. Thus it is impossible to travel forwardly against the front travel lock. The front travel lock would remain --closed, however, as current would be furnished the front travel lock controlvalve M.

Assume that the controller arm 20 is moved in a counterclockwise direction, it will engage the segment I5I and current will be passed through the resistance-I53 to the left reversing clutch pressure regulating valve I and this clutch would be closed in a graduated or controlled manner, depending on the position of the arm 20. This would cause rear travel of the crane if the rear travel lock switch 23 were in open position, as current would then be furnished to the segment On the other hand, if the rear travel lock were in closed position, the segment I5I would be dead and the crane would not travel against the Assume that both rear travel lock. However, the rear travel lock would remain closed, as current would be furnished through the switch 23 to the valve L controlling the rear travel block.

If it is desired to turn to the right, the right steering clutch switch 29 would be closed, and if lower the load or he can raise the load and gradually shift from the holding brake to the clutch for hoisting. He can graduate the degree of enthe left steering clutch switch was open, current would be furnished through the switch 28 to the right steering clutch control valve P, and consequently the right steering clutch would be disengaged from the main drive shaft for the crawlers and would look the right crawler against motion.

Thereafter if the controller arm 20 were moved to forward travel position, thatis in a clockwise direction, the crane would steer to the right. Similarly if the left steering clutch switch 28 were closed and the right steering clutch switch 29 was open, current would be furnished to the left steering clutch control valve N and the left crawler would be disconnected from the motive power and locked against motion. Thereafter if the controller arm 25 were moved in a clockwise direction, that is to say, towards forward travel position, the crane would travel forwardly and steer to the left. Obviously rearward steering could be effected if it became necessary by moving the controller arm 20 to the rearward travel position, that is to say, in a counterclockwise direction.

If it is desired to raise or lower the boom, the boom hoist gear switch 25 is closed,'and if the swing gear switch 26 is open, current will be furnished through the switch 25 to the valve B for controlling the boom hoist gear, and the boom hoist gear would thus be shifted into engagement with the boom hoist gear train. Thereafter if the controller arm it were moved in a clockwise direction, the boom would be lowered as the right reversing clutch would be closed and power would be transmitted to the boom hoist train to lower the boom. If the controllerarm 2i! were moved in a counterclockwise direction, the left reversing clutch would be closed and power would be furnished the boom moist gear train to raise the boom.

If the swing gear switch 28 were closed and the travel gear switch 21 were open, current would be furnished through the swing gear switch 26 V to the valve D for controlling the swing gear. and.

the swing lock. The swing gear would be shifted into engagement with the swing gear train and the swing gear lock would be unlocked. Thereafter if the controller arm 20 were moved in a clockwise direction, right swinging would occur as the right reversing clutch would be closed, as previously described, and if moved in a counterclockwise dT ction, left swinging would occur as the left revers rigrclutch would be closed. This would be independent of the position of the rear travel lock and the front travel lock switches 23 and 24, as current would be furnished the controller arm 20 through the travel gear switch 21 whenit was in its open position.

It will be seen that complete control of the operation of the crane, whether of a two-cable type or of a single cable type, is obtained from the remote controller and the operator has a gradu-' ated control of the right and left drum brake release and of the right and left reversing clutches so that no undue shock can be imposed on the mechanism of the crane and so that the operator has direct control of all of the functions of the machine and'may reproduce all of the controlling functions that an operator located in the cab could have produced. He can very gradually gagement of the right or left reversing clutch and so can graduate the starting and stopping for front or rear travel or steering or for raising or lowering the boom or for the right and left swinging motions.- I

A very small amount of power need be carried by the cable to the remote control as the actual power used to operate the mechanical control members of the crane is furnished by the pneumatic system and yet the motion or operation of these mechanical control elements in the crane is always under the complete control of the remotely positioned operator.

Further it is to be seen that the interlocking arrangement is such that no conflicting operations can be caused and no thought is required on the part of the operator to avoid these conflicting operations, as they are automatically avoided by the interlocking of the switches. The

opera-tor, therefore, is left free to adjust the appropriate controller after the selected interlocking switch has been operated. Further than this, the arrangement is such that it makes a for very speedy operation of the crane.

the remote control system by the switch 2|, there I is immediate cutting off of air supply to the pneumatic system and immediate relief of all pressure in such system. Thus maximum safety is obtained.

Further it is to be noted that all of the controllersqmay be exactly alike and such con-tact segments as may be needed can be used. The controllers are of very simple construction and are inexpensive. Additionally, the interlocking switches 2| to 28 are all exactly alike and close in the same direction and are simple doublethrow, single pole switches. Thus the remote control unit may be very cheaply manufactured and is not likely to get out of order and is substantially fool-proof in its action.

It sometimes happens that a, part of the work to be done by the crane has to be done from a remote point and a part of the work can be done directly from the cab of the crane. The device is very flexible and allows for this quick changeover.

When the remote control, operation is not needed, the remote control unit may be placed in the cab as described and plugged in with a shorter cable, and thereafter the operator can either control the entire crane through the remote control unit or else he may control the major number of the parts from the remote control unit and -may supplement this control by using the foot pedals. Thus the operator can, if desired, have both the control through the remote'control unit and through a manual control or he may have the control entirely through the, remote control unit whether located at a remote, point or within the cab.

While one form of crane only has been shown, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular type of crane but is applicableto many different types of cranes.

While a simple load handling crane has been shown, it is to be understood that any type of load handling machine could be employed, and

2,as.4,oas

the term "crane" therefore and the expression load handling" are to be interpreted not in a limiting sense but to cover any of the general types of machines hereinbefore referred to and any type of load handling means.

While the device has been shown as-provided with pneumatic intermediate control means and while such type of control means is preferred,

' it'is nevertheless to be understood that in its broader aspects this invention comprehends the use of any intermediate fluid control means.

Although a conventional non-reversing internal combustion motor has been shownv in Figure 11, nevertheless the invention is not limited to this type of motor except where it is specifically recited. It is possible with this invention, however, as is apparent from the previous description, to obtain all of the many functions of the crane or other load handling device with the same degree of flexibility as though separate reve'rsing motors had beenemployed for the several different functions.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may bevariously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

We claim: I 1. A remote controlled load handling device comprising a self-propelled crane having as its power means an internal combustion engine and including power operated load handling means and fluid actuated intermediate control meansior controlling the operation of the load handling means for power operation from said internal combustion engine, and remote control means including electrically con-trolled means for controlling the operation of the fluid actuated intermediate control means.

2. A remote controlled load handling device comprising a crane including a power means and power operated load handling means and fluid actuated intermediate control means for controlling the operation of the load handling means for power operation from said power means, said power means furnishing power for said fluid actuated intermediate control means, and remote control means including electrically .controlled means for controlling the power operation of the fluid actuated intermediate control means. 3

3. A remote" controlled load handling device comprising a crane having as its power means a continuously running, non-reversing motor and including a plurality of power operated mechanisms, a plurality of fluid actuated intermediate 5. A remote controlled load handling device comprising a crane including power operated load handling mechanism, braking means for said mechanism, fluid actuated intermediate control means for controlling both the power operation and the braking operation of said load handling means, and remote control means including elec 'trical means for controlling said fluid actuated remote control means, said remote control means and said braking means producing a gradually variable value of the braking efl'ect of said braking means.

control means for controlling the operation of said power operated mechanisms, and remote control means including electrically controlled means for selectively controlling the operation of said fluid actuated intermediate control means.

4. A remote controlled load handling device comprising a crane including power operated load handling mechanism, braking means for said mechanism, fluid actuated intermediate control means for controlling both the power operation and the braking operation of said load handling means, a continuously running, non-reversing motor furnishing the power for said load handling means and for said fluid actuated intermediate control means, and remote control means including electrical means for controlling said fluid actuated intermediate control means.

6. A remote controlled load handling device comprising a crane including power operated load handling mechanism, clutch means for controlling the power transmitted to said load handling mechanism, braking means for said load handling mechanism, fluid actuated intermediate control means for independently controlling said clutch means and said braking means, and remote control means including electrical means for controlling the operation of said fluid actuated intermediate means.

'l. A remote controlled load handling device comprising a crane including power operated load raising means, braking means for said load raising means, power operated load swinging means, fluid actuated intermediate control means for controlling said power operated load raising and swinging means and said braking means, and re- 7 mote control means for controlling the operation of said fluid actuated intermediate control means,

said remote control means including electrical means for producing through the action of said fluid actuated intermediate means a gradually variable value of the braking effect of said bralrfluid actuated intermediate means for controlling the, operation of said load raising means and said traveling means, and remote control means including electrical means for controlling said fluid actuated intermediate means.

9. A remote controlled load handling device comprising a crane including power operated load handling means, braking means for said power operated load handling means, fluid actuated intermediate control means for controlling the operation of said power operated load handling means and said braking means, fluid pressure cut-off and relief means, and remote control means for controlling said fluid actuated intermediate control meansand said fluid pressure cut-ofl and relief means.

10. A remote controlled load handling device comprising a crane including power operated load handling means, braking means for said power operated load handling means, fluid actuated intermediate control means for controlling the operation of said power operated load handling means and said braking means, fluid pressure cut-oi! and relief means, and remote control means including electrical means for controlling said fluid actuated intermediate control means and said fluid pressure cut-ofl and relief motor, means for selectively operating either said boom swinging or boom hoisting mechanism from said motor; remote control .means including elec- 

